Monday, July 23, 2007

I don't know where this came from originally. My sister-in-law forwarded to me. Even if it's not a true story (and it sounds like it certainly could be) it has a powerful message. Get the Kleenex ready, it's a tear-jerker:

My mom only had one eye. I hated her... she was such an embarrassment.She cooked for students & teachers to support the family.

There was this one day during elementary school where my mom came to say hello to me.

I was so embarrassed.

How could she do this to me?I ignored her, threw her a hateful look and ran out.The next day at school one of my classmates said, "EEEE, your mom only has one eye!"

I wanted to bury myself.I also wanted my mom to just disappear.I confronted her that day and said, " If you ' re only goanna make me a laughing stock, why don't you just die?"

My mom did not respond...I didn't even stop to think for a second about what I had said, because I was full of anger.I was oblivious to her feelings.

I wanted out of that house, and have nothing to do with her.So I studied real hard, got a chance to go abroad to study.Then, I got married.I bought a house of my own.I had kids of my own.I was happy with my life, my kids and the comforts, Then one day, my mother came to visit me.She hadn't seen me in years and she didn't even meet her grandchildren.

When she stood by the door, my children laughed at her, and I yelled ather for coming over uninvited.I screamed at her, "How dare you come to my house and scare my children!"GET OUT OF HERE! NOW!!!"

And to this, my mother quietly answered, "Oh, I ' m so sorry. I may have gotten the wrong address," and she disappeared out of sight.One day, a letter regarding a school reunion came to my house.

So I lied to my wife that I was going on a business trip.After the reunion, I went to the old shack just out of curiosity.

My neighbors said that she died.I did not shed a single tear.They handed me a letter that she had wanted me to have.

"My dearest son,I think of you all the time. I'm sorry that I came to your house andscared your children. I was so glad when I heard you were coming for the reunion.But I may not be able to even get out of bed to see you. I'm sorry that I was a constant embarrassment to you when you were growing up.

You see........when you were very little, you got into an accident, and lost your eye.As a mother, I couldn't stand watching you having to grow up with one eye.So I gave you mine.I was so proud of my son who was seeing a whole new world for me, in my place, with that eye.

With all my love to you,Your mother.

Always tell someone that you love them because you never know what day will be their last, or your own.

Always seek to resolve your problems or disagreements with loved ones because if either of you should pass on before, the one who is left alive will have the rest of their life to ponder those unresolved feelings but will never find closure. And closure usually brings peace...

Sunday, July 22, 2007

I'm so excited about the pictures I've managed to capture this summer that I really want all my friends to see them at http://tmal.multiply.comYou won't just see amazing shots that i just took with my new camera, and really gorgeous stuff of the Loess Hills here in Western Iowa, but you'll notice that I keep my editorial cartoons and lots of other artwork there too- as well as great links, silly videos and recommendations for powerful books you'll want to read. I'm really sorry to send a "spam" like this instead of a real note- I'm just really excited to get people to see these pictures. I hope you'll enjoy them. FYI you don't have to join Multiply to see them, just to leave comments on them- but you can always just email those. Hope you like them. Thanks for visiting http://tmal.multiply.com

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Pretty cool that our alma mater has it's on Wikipedia entry. Check the "trivia" section- seems they STILL put celery in all the food.

As long as you're reading this, before you go follow the link and read the Wikipedia entry, please stop and say a prayer for 'ol CUNE, that GOd will guard it, bless it, and direct it (or correct it if need be).

"Heaven goes by favour. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in."~ Mark Twain

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." ~Ephesians 2:8-9

In other words, Jesus loves you and He died and rose for you, no matter who you are or what you've done- so don't ever think that you're hopeless or doomed to Hell. All you have to do is believe. Thank God, right?

Tuesday, July 03, 2007

Monday, July 02, 2007

Jesus was a simple guy. He had just a few close friends, lived on very little money, and owned only one piece of clothing when he diedwhich, by the way, was the only personal possession of his that the Bible mentions. How does that compare with life in our material culture?

In the United States we rent storage units to hold all the stuff we don't use, but don't want to get rid of. And all the while, our culture tells us we need more and more. So we spend most of our lives trying to get stuff that really isn't all that meaningful.

All of our stuffand our perceived lack of stuffcauses stress on the soul. Our stuff also serves to distract us from being who God calls us to be. Look around your room. Take a peek at your calendar. Consider your plans for the future. How much of it involves simplifying your life and how much involves complicating it? God desires us to be diligent and to work hard, but he also wants our souls to be uncluttered. His way of living is much less hurried and hectic.

Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).

2 Corinthians 4:7

Grey-ish Beard the Pirate Blogger

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This Blog is not officially associated with Saint John Lutheran Church in Charter Oak, Iowa, Iowas District West (IDW), or the Lutheran Church~Missouri Synod (LCMS). The views expressed by Pirate Ted on this website, and the links offered and information posted here do not necessarily reflect the views of St. John, the IDW or the LCMS.